Setting up a US bank account
Jul 18th 2018, 5:56 pm
#16
USA 2017
Joined: Aug 2015
Location: Saint Petersburg, FL
Posts: 193
Re: Setting up a US bank account
I had no problem opening my checking account with PNC.
I chose PNC, since that is the bank the wife used, and had no problems with. Also has a lower wire transfer fee than some other banks.
I know I took my UK Passport and UK driving licence, as well as the lease agreement of our US house. I didn't have any other bills, since they were all in my wife's name.
Once I received my SSN card ( a few days later), I took that to the bank to update my account.
Having a SSN does make life much easier, as well as being named on household bills.
I chose PNC, since that is the bank the wife used, and had no problems with. Also has a lower wire transfer fee than some other banks.
I know I took my UK Passport and UK driving licence, as well as the lease agreement of our US house. I didn't have any other bills, since they were all in my wife's name.
Once I received my SSN card ( a few days later), I took that to the bank to update my account.
Having a SSN does make life much easier, as well as being named on household bills.
Jul 19th 2018, 1:31 am
#17
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 670
Re: Setting up a US bank account
I used TD, who were very helpful and sorted things even without a SSN or address. I heard bad things about most of the big banks, Chase and so on anyway so wasn’t too fussed.
i emailed them the details later once I had them, it was some 6-8 weeks before I came back to the US with a perm address. Meanwhile the account was essential for receiving my salary via direct deposit...
i emailed them the details later once I had them, it was some 6-8 weeks before I came back to the US with a perm address. Meanwhile the account was essential for receiving my salary via direct deposit...
Aug 2nd 2018, 6:33 pm
#18
Banned
Joined: Aug 2018
Location: New York
Posts: 6
Re: Setting up a US bank account
I used TD, who were very helpful and sorted things even without a SSN or address. I heard bad things about most of the big banks, Chase and so on anyway so wasn’t too fussed.
i emailed them the details later once I had them, it was some 6-8 weeks before I came back to the US with a perm address. Meanwhile the account was essential for receiving my salary via direct deposit...
i emailed them the details later once I had them, it was some 6-8 weeks before I came back to the US with a perm address. Meanwhile the account was essential for receiving my salary via direct deposit...
Aug 2nd 2018, 7:17 pm
#19
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,382
Re: Setting up a US bank account
Inquiring minds would love to know your specifics.
Sep 24th 2018, 3:04 pm
#20
Ongoing K1 Visa
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 105
Re: Setting up a US bank account
On moving to the US obviously I will have to tell the bank that I am moving, I take it they would be happy having another UK address given (a family members) to send any correspondence too? I'm not sure how it all works when moving and wanting to keep the UK account open with just a very small amount in it after I transfer funds to the US once I open an account there.
Sep 24th 2018, 4:11 pm
#21
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Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Athens GA
Posts: 2,133
Re: Setting up a US bank account
On moving to the US obviously I will have to tell the bank that I am moving, I take it they would be happy having another UK address given (a family members) to send any correspondence too? I'm not sure how it all works when moving and wanting to keep the UK account open with just a very small amount in it after I transfer funds to the US once I open an account there.
Sep 24th 2018, 4:39 pm
#22
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2017
Location: Newnan, GA
Posts: 802
Re: Setting up a US bank account
HSBC were happy to retain a UK contact address (my parents), we asked them if they needed a USA one, they were ambivalent.
Sep 25th 2018, 3:44 pm
#23
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Setting up a US bank account
actually, I think you can't open a US account with a regular US bank from outside the country. You also can't open an account with most of the banks mentioned without a social security number.
Last edited by christmasoompa; Sep 25th 2018 at 4:00 pm. Reason: Yep, spam - he works for them, so removed company name
Sep 28th 2018, 6:38 pm
#24
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 670
Re: Setting up a US bank account
definitely need a US residential address these days, SSN has a bit more flexibility,
Oct 2nd 2018, 3:38 pm
#25
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1
Re: Setting up a US bank account
Hey - I've just opened a US account with HSBC. It's taken a couple of months but they didn't need a social security number (I don't have one yet) or a US address (don't have one of those either) but they needed a letter of confirmation from my employer and income details etc... It was quite a protracted process but pain free in the sense that I now have an account set up before we move at the end of this month 
Oct 2nd 2018, 7:03 pm
#26
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Setting up a US bank account
Hey - I've just opened a US account with HSBC. It's taken a couple of months but they didn't need a social security number (I don't have one yet) or a US address (don't have one of those either) but they needed a letter of confirmation from my employer and income details etc... It was quite a protracted process but pain free in the sense that I now have an account set up before we move at the end of this month
I relocate international people and just tell them that they can always close the account in a few months if they want to go elsewhere other than WF of Bof A
Oct 4th 2018, 11:48 pm
#27
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 670
Re: Setting up a US bank account
yeah, HSBC will do all this for you in advance. The downside is their lack of physical offices in the USA. It's manageable but those times when you need a certified check for example - you end up getting a money order instead.
I relocate international people and just tell them that they can always close the account in a few months if they want to go elsewhere other than WF of Bof A
I relocate international people and just tell them that they can always close the account in a few months if they want to go elsewhere other than WF of Bof A
if you need it well before you arrive, worth doing perhaps. For me was just as easy to arrive and open an account with a bank with a popular presence. Time between job offer and needing it, far too short to wait for their lengthy setup times.
Dec 15th 2018, 8:10 pm
#28
Ongoing K1 Visa
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 105
Re: Setting up a US bank account
Well this week I opened up a US bank account with TD, all they wanted to see was my passport and job done, easy-peasy, even got my debit card at the same time, couldn't be happier and another thing ticked off the list, I just need to go back in once I get my SSN to update things on their records regards that but the whole experience was painless and hats off to TD for their service
Last edited by Trilo; Dec 15th 2018 at 8:14 pm.
Dec 15th 2018, 8:20 pm
#29
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Setting up a US bank account
TD Bank - only along the east coast though. 
Dec 16th 2018, 10:05 pm
#30
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 670
Re: Setting up a US bank account
Well this week I opened up a US bank account with TD, all they wanted to see was my passport and job done, easy-peasy, even got my debit card at the same time, couldn't be happier and another thing ticked off the list, I just need to go back in once I get my SSN to update things on their records regards that but the whole experience was painless and hats off to TD for their service
They’ve been pretty good to me since and their premiere account is alright. Certainly they look after you well if you walk into a branch around here. Great hours too including Sunday banking, useful.
of course, once you’re up and running you can open other accounts, I’m personally thinking to open a capital 360 checking as well, as they get brilliant reviews and better coverage across the states, it appears.
